Nebraska Governor Pillen Says Grid Can Handle Demand

Nebraska’s electric grid has the capacity to meet current energy needs, according to state officials speaking on Thursday.

Governor Jim Pillen made the assessment during an event in Fremont attended by state and federal leaders. The group focused on ongoing investments designed to strengthen the state’s utility infrastructure. Nebraska received a federal award of nearly $14 million last year to help modernize and reinforce these systems.

Local agencies are continuing to support residents affected by recent flooding. The Metro Omaha Flood Recovery Group encourages people to call 2-1-1 for long-term assistance. The group includes Douglas County Emergency Management, the Douglas County Health Department, and the Omaha Community Foundation.

The Douglas County Health Department also moved to protect residents from lead exposure on Thursday. Staff provided free testing services at the UNO Community Engagement Center. Specialists used scanners to examine items brought in by the public, such as spices, pottery, and toys.

President Donald Trump is planning a series of tele-rallies to engage voters in Nebraska ahead of the election. The specific date for the Nebraska event has not been announced. The President recently canceled in-person rallies scheduled for Iowa and Kansas in the days before the vote.

A Kenyan citizen faces federal charges in Nebraska related to a scheme to steal student financial aid. The indictment includes five counts of theft of government money and five counts of aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors allege the suspect used stolen identities to fraudulently obtain aid as part of a $1.3 million scheme.

More than $3 million in cryptocurrency has been recovered from a scam that targeted an older Iowan. The Iowa Insurance Division received a tip about the fraud last December from a securities broker. Federal, state, and local law enforcement used blockchain tracing to secure the assets before the scammers could cash them out. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has also suspended hours of service rules for truck drivers delivering diesel, gas, or ethanol blends until November 28 to address fuel delays.